Tuesday, November 09, 2004

When I think of John Kerry, I think of Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird". In an atmosphere of social divisiveness, fear and hatred, perhaps John didn't have a presidential win in the cards, but he won't let it stop him from being the man of integrity that he has always been.

In the film version, with Gregory Peck, there is a poignant courtroom scene where Atticus Finch seems very much alone in the wake of his heart-wrenching loss in the downstairs chamber of the courtroom, but above him, there are seats still filled upstairs and every person stands in homage while Atticus passes below.

I stand with all who supported Mr. Kerry and salute him for what he tried to do, and what we know he could have done for America. I'm so very glad he'll be fighting for us in the Senate. There's a lot he has learned from this experience and it will make him the most valuable Senator we could have on realistic democracy's side.

Read this exchange between George Stephanopoulos and James Dobson (Talking Points Memo)It seems clear, that for all his hype about Christian values, that Dobson doesn't actually believe it himself with this public breakdown of humility on ABC, as you will read. Perhaps he'd be more credible if he practiced what he preaches.

More importantly, I don't think Mr. Dobson has any serious place on a political talk show. A slim margin of a win favoring Mr. Bush should not subject the record-setting millions of people out here (many of us people of deep personal faith) to be subject to this sort of insult to our secular/political intelligence. We understand that Mr. Dobson's repressive "family values" agenda will be used as an excuse to roll back every attempt at progressive social thinking, and half the nation prefers a progressive approach.

Neither the network media nor the cable news media is a friend of progress. They are a friend of controversy and cold hard cash. Their employees look like stooges. I wish they were fair, realistic, and honest. I have abandoned them as a credible source of information for subjecting us to this sort of hype. The ratings-generating circus is more important to then than the truth. As I passed by the cable news networks with my television remote today, I saw more tripe about Kobe Bryant and Laci Peterson than I saw the truth about the razing of Fallujah.

I'm thankful for the internet for the sane voices of my own people here in America. The blogs are far more reality-based. Josh Marshall, Daily Kos, Kid Oakland (at Daily Kos), American Street, William Rivers Pitt (Truthout), Atrios, Raw Story, Anonymoses, The Revealer, American Amnesia, Voice of a Veteran, Hope4America, Buzzflash, G.D. Frogsdong, The Moderate Voice (Joe Gandelman), Lew Rockwell.com, are just a few of the bloggers and internet writers I am grateful to have as my companions on the road toward the saving of American sanity within our democracy.

Jude Says..

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Iddybud is a descendant of American patriots, membership to DAR pending, a descendant of a family member who lost another dubious American Presidential election in 1876, so you might understand why she took Selection 2000 to heart.

desiderata - by max ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann c.1920